Outdoor Cold Doesn't Stop Lightning Soccer

December is usually not the month when you think of learning new soccer skills, working on teamwork, or just having fun playing the game of soccer, but that is exactly what the Johnston Lightning all-girls under-8 soccer team have been doing at the Teamworks indoor sports complex in Warwick.

So far, the eight-member Lightning team has compiled a 2-3-1 record on the season, and is 1-1-1 in competition during the month of December. Coach Dan Robbins, who also plays on the Johnston Fog over-30 team, said the girls have been developing their skills and learning important lessons about determination and teamwork.

"I'm so proud of the girls – they try so hard," Robbins explained before a recent game. "This team does not give up, and the girls are all like sisters to each other."

As part of the developmental approach of the Under-8 league, each game is played in two 25-minute halves, Robbins explained. Another aim of the league is to give all girls a chance at playing different positions, as shown in the substitutions Robbins typically makes for the goalkeeper's position.

In their most recent contest, the Lightning girls competed against the Warwick Firefighters team on Dec. 17. The two teams also faced off December 10 and fought to a draw, 11-11, the Lightning girls' first tie for the fall season.

During the Dec. 17 contest, Lightning keeper Kylie Marandola had many good saves in the first half to protect the 3-2 lead built by Julia Robbins (two goals) and Emma Salzillo (one goal). Johnston couldn't maintain the lead in the second half, though, as the Warwick squad posted six goals against relief keepers Alexandria Baxter and Danielle Valenti. Robbins added another tally to bring the final score to 8-4.

On Dec. 3, Salzillo and Robbins traded goal and assist stats as they each scored on the other's set-up during the first half on the way to a 4-2 lead at the break. Robbins later tallied four straight goals, and Marandola added the finishing touch with Baxter tending the net as the Lightning earned a 9-4 victory over East Greenwich.

Coach Robbins said he's proud of the effort shown by his group.

"We are a small team but we are very spunky," the coach explained.

The next contest for the girls is on Jan. 7 at Teamworks, against West Warwick at 6:45 p.m.